According to AAA, In 2023, there were 58,806 vehicle deer crashes. As of 2024, vehicle-deer crashes caused more than $130 million in damage annually.
Jonathan Randles, the principal agent from Randles Insurance Agency, tells us that drivers can see up to $10,000 worth of claims, especially in hunting season.
Randles says that when it comes to deer impacts, cars will see a good amount of damage, adding “depending on how new the person’s vehicle is, the value, a lot of the time it is a write off or a significant amount of damage, often eight, nine, $10,000 or so”
It also doesn’t matter what type of vehicle you drive, as many of them face the same damages.
When filing a claim, Randles says some people can be confused on how to file, but says that if the deer is alive when you hit it, a driver would file a comp claim.
However, Randles adds if the deer is already dead, it is a collision claim.
According to AAA’s website, they have some tips on how to avoid hitting a deer.
1. Stay awake, alert and sober.
2. Always wear a seat belt.
3. Be especially alert at dawn and dusk.
4. If you see one deer, slow down. Chances are there are others nearby.
5. If a crash is unavoidable, don’t swerve, brake firmly, hold onto the steering wheel, stay in your lane and bring your car to a controlled stop.
After hitting a deer, AAA recommends pulling off the road and turning on your emergency flashers.
Don’t try to remove the deer from the roadway—it may be alive, and its hooves or antlers could injure you.
Instead, call law enforcement of the DNR.
Randles tells us that while drivers legally do not have to file a claim with their insurance, he does highly recommend it for future claims.
If you do choose to file a claim, Randales says you can up to 48 hours after the accident to report it, just in case you are shaken up after the crash.